THE GARMENT DISTRICT

GLAMOUR
on Seventh
Avenue

BY RHONDA COHEN

IF

or decades the stretch
of buildings and streets
that spread between
New York City's Times
Square and Pennsylvania
Station, known as the garment
district, served primarily as
workrooms for the garment
trades. The same space is still
churning out clothes, and
bringing new and established
designers into the area.
But, according to Walter
Mankoff, associate director of
research for the International
Ladies Garment Workers
Union, many changes have
occurred in the garment
district during the past few
years. "There is no question
that the number of garment
workers is in decline, whether
you are talking about Seventh
Avenue or elsewhere," he
says.
"Not only is the number
declining, but the work force is
changing," he continues. "The
seamstresses, cutters, and
pressers are being replaced by
office workers like sales and

Donna Karan's basic
bodysuit comes in dif-
ferent styles, including
plunge and halter
necklines.

